Five years ago Pat Zorn was just another fan in the stands. Now, he’s running towards the front in the Auto City Pro Late Model class, and he's hoping to run consistently in the top five throughout the 2009 season.
“I used to run figure eight demolition derby,” Zorn said. “I did really well with it, made some money at it and was going to retire. Then, my wife Lori said, ‘You’ve always wanted to run asphalt circle track. Go buy a car and do it.’
My Father-In-Law knew Bob Fitzpatrick had a street stock for sale. We bought it and I ended up winning Rookie of the Year in 2006 at Flat Rock Speedway.”
Bob Varney introduced Zorn to the Pro-Late Models in 2007.
“I had a friend who ran Pro Lates at Owosso,” Zorn said. “I had the opportunity to run his car one night and I enjoyed myself so much I decided to buy one.”
Zorn bought his Pro Late Model in 2007 and the transition from Street Stocks to Pro Lates has been a challenging.
“Even starting out in Street Stocks was tough,” Zorn said. “It looks easy when you’re sitting in the bleachers watching, but when you actually strap in and take a car out on the track it’s a whole different story. I didn’t know anything about asphalt. I had to learn everything, and in the street stocks you do everything on instinct. There’s no mirrors or radios and spotters and there’s a lot more sawing on the wheel just to get around the track. In the Pro Late, we have the mirrors, the spotters, the radio communication, but we’re going 130 or 140 mph and that wall is a lot closer than it looks from the stands!”
The craziest story Zorn has in his four year circle track career is his second Pro Late Model race.
“Bob Varney talked me into running at Winchester Speedway my second time in the Pro Late Model,” Zorn said. “Looking back now, I know that it was probably not the best decision I ever made, but I didn’t know anything about circle track or about Winchester.”
Winchester Speedway is located in Winchester Indiana and is the “world’s fastest half mile track.”
“Varney won that race,” Zorn said. “I placed seventh and can say that I ran 72 laps without breaking anything. That seems like quite an accomplishment as I look back on it. Now that I have more experience I would like to give Winchester another try.”
Zorn’s favorite NASCAR driver of all time is Richard Petty.
“Richard Petty is my idol,” Zorn said. “He always gives back to the fans and he was real. When he won he never criticized another driver and when he lost he never criticized another driver.”
One of Zorn’s best racing memories so far is Autograph night.
“Autograph night is awesome,” Zorn said. “The kids get out there and just eat up the pictures and have a blast. I love being able to tell people that four years ago I was one of them. If it wasn’t for the fans, none of us would be out there.”
The team behind Zorn’s No. 43 keep him on the track week after week.
“Bob Varney is my mentor,” Zorn said. “He gives me all my set-ups and helps me out a lot. My spotter, Kyle Maki, is a big help too. Ed Schmidt helps me out when he’s not busy, and my nephew Brad Zorn helps pit for me and loads and unloads the truck on race day.”
Zorn’s sponsors include DTI Trucking and High Performance Motorsports.
“I would like to thank Port City Racecars too,” Zorn said. “That’s where my car came from and I’ve gotten a lot of help from them.”
The only regret Zorn has about racing so far is that he didn’t start it sooner.
“I wish I had started this 30 years ago,” Zorn said. “Racing brings communities together, it creates a common interest for people, and it’s just a lot of fun.”
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